Tuesday, September 28, 2010

"Plaiting" onions or garlic is a fun activity for the whole family! These braids are a wonderful way to display a beautiful harvest in your kitchen, and they are useful, too. This technique also works well with onion or garlic with stems intact. Sorting sizes may be done by younger children, and the actual braiding, by older children.

Directions1. Harvest your onions/garlic. Lay them in a safe place to dry for at least a week. Trim the roots off.

2. Divide the onions/garlic into three groups, "Small", "Medium", and "Large".

3. Start with three in front of you. Place a large one in the middle, and two medium ones on either side.

4. Take a twisty-tie or twine and wrap around the base of all three together.

5. Begin braiding. Take the right stem over the middle. Left stem over the middle.

6. Add a small onion/garlic on the left and take right stem over the middle. Any time you add a new onion, the stem will be in the middle.7. Add a small onion/garlic on the right and take the left stem over the middle.8. Add a large onion/garlic in the middle.9. Continue adding, alternating medium and small on the sides, and always adding large ones to the middle. Sometimes you will run out of stems from farther down, but that's OK. There are always new stems to braid. Keep going!10. When the braid is the length that you wish, tie a square knot with twine, yarn or rope around the stems just above the top onions. Tie a bow, making a loop and face it to the backside.11. Trim the tops of the stems, if you want to. Hang on the wall. As you need onions/garlic, cut them from the top and work your way down.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Sign up for "Essential Elements of Early Childhood" through the Waldorf Connection! The first speakers in the series include Rahima Baldwin, Lisa Boisvert MacKenzie, Danielle Epifani and Christine Natale. You can try the first class/session on September 23, "Three Ways to Create a Nourishing Home for your Child" for free at: http://thewaldorfconnection.com/dap/a/?a=8The first call includes:1. What is play? - with Lisa Boisvert MacKenzie2. The 4 Senses in Early Childhood Development - with Danielle Epifani3. The Importance of a Mother's Voice - with Christine NataleMore teleseminars to come in this series! Listen to them live or purchase the mp3 files to hear in the car or when you have time.Attendance is free, but you do need to register. Sign up early, as space is limited!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Ricky has been spinning yarns and carding batts to fundraise for his Waldorf class 8 field trip. These pictures show one of his elemental yarns, "Californium", and some batts.

Joey crocheted coffee mug holders for each day of the school week for her teacher (Daddy!). She crocheted "LAPHH" on each one for Love - Abundance - Peace - Health - Happiness. A nice reminder for him each morning.

Mommy has been crocheting hats and scarves and spinning yarns for customers.

Friday, September 10, 2010

This past week, we transitioned from a homeschooling family to a Waldorf-schooling family. The kids love their teachers (Joey's teacher is Daddy!), and we are enjoying being immersed in a school that is full of art, beauty and spirit.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Syrendell offers customized lessons or small group workshops for homeschoolers, Waldorf schoolers, co-ops and anyone who is interested in handwork, art or Wadorf curriculum. Lessons and workshops are offered at our home in Davis or at your location. Email us if you are interested. We now have a beautiful arts and crafts studio!

Some pictures from recent lessons in wet-on-wet watercoloring and chalkboard drawing.

Handwork in the Dell: Full Day WorkshopSeptember 25, 20109:00am - 3:00pmDavis, CaliforniaOpen to adults who want to learn more about fiber arts and how to teach handwork to their own children in a homelearning and/or Waldorf-inspired environment. Limited space available. (Teens also welcome -- please email us in advance). Come join Jennifer & Joey Tan at Syrendell for a day of fiber arts fun! Lunch included. $80

Spinning in the Dell: 1/2-day WorkshopSeptember 26, 2010 1:00pm- 3:00pmDavis, CaliforniaOpen to adults and teens who want to learn how to spin. Beginners will learn on a spindle. Seasoned spindlers will learn the spinning wheel. We will learn about fibers, how to card batts and make our own yarn! Limited space available. (Children ages 9-17 able to learn how to spin are welcome to attend with a parent -- email us in advance). Come join Jennifer & Joey Tan at Syrendell for a day of spinning! $30

Aromatherapy in the Dell: 1/2-Day WorkshopOctober 3, 201010:00am - 12:00pmDavis, CaliforniaOpen to adults and teens who want to learn more about aromatherapy and how to use it for self, children and home. We will experience a variety of oils and custom blend an synergy oil to take home. Limited space available. (Teens also welcome -- please email us in advance). $30